Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of heart tissue to thereby permit surgery on a coronary vessel in that area without significant deterioration of the pumping function of the beating heart. The local area of heart tissue is immobilized to a degree sufficient to permit minimally invasive or micro-surgery on that area of the heart. The present invention features a suction device to accomplish the immobilization. The suction device is coupled to a source of negative pressure. The suction device has a series of suction ports on one surface. Suction through the device causes suction to be maintained at the ports. The device further is shaped to conform to the surface of the heart. Thus, when the device is placed on the surface of the heart and suction is created, the suction through the ports engages the surface of the heart. The suction device is further fixed or immobilized to a stationary object, such as an operating table or a sternal or rib retractor. Thus, the local area of the heart near the suction device is temporarily fixed or immobilized relative to the stationary object while suction is maintained. In such a fashion, the coronary artery may be immobilized even though the heart itself is still beating so that a bypass graft may be performed. In addition the suction device may be used in either a conventional, open-chest environment or in a minimally-invasive environment, e.g. endoscopic.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part application claiming priority fromapplication 08/531,363 filed Sep. 20, 1995 of Borst et al. entitledMETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TEMPORARILY IMMOBILIZING A LOCAL AREA OFTISSUE, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,311, and a divisional of applicationSer. No. 08/725,371, filed Oct. 3, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,376.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to surgery on body tissues andorgans. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method andapparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue subject tomotion, such as the heart wall, which permits a surgical procedure to beperformed on that local area of tissue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of morbidity andmortality in Western societies. Coronary artery disease is manifested ina number of ways. For example, disease of the coronary arteries can leadto insufficient blood flow to various areas of the heart. This can leadto the discomfort of angina and the risk of ischemia. In severe cases,acute blockage of coronary blood flow can result in irreversible damageto the myocardial tissue including myocardial infarction and the risk ofdeath.

A number of approaches have been developed for treating coronary arterydisease. In less severe cases, it is often sufficient to merely treatthe symptoms, with pharmaceuticals, or treat the underlying causes ofthe disease, with lifestyle modification. In more severe cases, thecoronary blockage can be treated endovascularly or percutaneously usingtechniques such as balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, laser ablation,stents, and the like.

In cases where these approaches have failed or are likely to fail, it isoften necessary to perform a coronary artery bypass graft procedure.This procedure generally consists of the following steps: First, directaccess to the heart is achieved. This is usually done by opening thechest by median sternotomy and spreading the left and right rib cageapart; and opening the pericardial sac to achieve direct access to theheart.

Next, a blood vessel or vessels for use in the graft procedure aremobilized from the patient. This usually entails mobilizing either amammary artery or a saphenous vein, although other graft vessels mayalso be used.

Next, a heart-lung or cardiopulmonary bypass is performed. This usuallyentails arterial and venous cannulation, connecting the bloodstream to aheart-lung machine, cooling the body to about 32 degrees Celsius,cross-clamping of the aorta and cardioplegic perfusion of the coronaryarteries to arrest and cool the heart to about 4 degrees Celsius. Thearrest or stoppage of the heart is generally required because theconstant pumping motion of the beating heart would make surgery upon theheart difficult in some locations and extremely difficult if notimpossible in other locations

Once cardiac arrest is achieved, then a graft (or grafts) is attached tothe relevant portions of a coronary artery (or arteries) followed byweaning from the cardiopulmonary bypass, restarting the heart anddecannulation. Finally the chest is closed.

One area which may create difficulties for the patient and extra expenseand time for the procedure involves the cardiopulmonary bypass. In acardiopulmonary bypass all the patient's blood, which normally returnsto the right atrium, is diverted to a system which supplies oxygen tothe blood and removes carbon dioxide and returns the blood, atsufficient pressure, into the patient's aorta for further distributioninto the body. Generally such a system requires several separatecomponents, including an oxygenator, several pumps, a reservoir, a bloodtemperature control system, filters as well as flow, pressure andtemperature sensors.

Problems may develop during cardiopulmonary bypass due to the reactionblood has to non-endothelially lined surfaces, i.e. surfaces unlikethose of a blood vessel. In particular, exposure of blood to foreignsurfaces results in the activation of virtually all the humoral andcellular components of the inflammatory response, as well as some of theslower reacting specific immune responses. Other complications fromcardiopulmonary bypass include loss of red blood cells and platelets dueto shear stress damage. In addition, cardiopulmonary bypass requires theuse of an anticoagulant, such as heparin. This may, in turn, increasethe risk of hemorrhage. Finally cardiopulmonary bypass sometimesnecessitates giving additional blood to the patient. The additionalblood, if from a source other than the patient, may expose the patientto blood born diseases.

Due to the risks incurred during cardiopulmonary bypass, others haveattempted to perform a coronary artery bypass graft procedure withoutcardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary bypass. For example, Trapp andBisarya in “Placement of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Without PumpQxygenator”, Annals Thorac. Surg. Vol. 19, No. 1, (January 1975) pgs.1-9, immobilized the area of the bypass graft by encircling sutures deepenough to incorporate enough muscle to suspend an area of the heart andprevent damage to the coronary artery. More recently Fanning et al. in“Reoperative Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Without CardiopulmonaryBypass”, Annals Thorac. Surg. Vol. 55, (February 1993) pgs. 486-489 alsoreported immobilizing the area of the bypass graft with stabilizationsutures.

While these attempts have achieved some success, they generally requireenhanced skill of the surgeon to properly create the anastomsis because,even with sutures, the beating heart continues to move in the relevantarea more than desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a method andapparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue, such asan area of a beating heart, without requiring the use of stabilizingsutures.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method andapparatus to facilitate performing coronary artery bypass graft surgeryon a beating heart.

It is the further object of the present invention to provide a methodand apparatus to perform a coronary artery bypass graft withoutrequiring the heart to be arrested or stopped and the patient coupled toa cardiopulmonary bypass machine.

These and other objectives are met by the present invention whichcomprises a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a localarea of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a methodand apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of heart tissueto thereby permit surgery on a coronary vessel in that area withoutsignificant deterioration of the pumping function of the beating heart.The local area of heart tissue is immobilized to a degree sufficient topermit minimally invasive or micro-surgery on that area of the heart.The present invention features a suction device to accomplish theimmobilization. The suction device is coupled to a source of negativepressure. The suction device has a series of suction ports on onesurface. Suction through the device causes suction to be maintained atthe ports. The device further is shaped to conform to the surface of theheart. Thus, when the device is placed on the surface of the heart andsuction is created, the suction through the ports engages the surface ofthe heart. The suction device is further fixed or immobilized to astationary object, such as an operating table or a sternal or ribretractor. Thus, the local area of the heart near the suction device istemporarily fixed or immobilized relative to the stationary object whilesuction is maintained. In such a fashion, the coronary artery may beimmobilized even though the heart itself is still beating so that abypass graft may be connected to the coronary artery. In addition thesuction device may be used in either a conventional, open-chestenvironment or in a minimally-invasive environment, e.g. endoscopic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will best beappreciated with reference to the detailed description of the inventionin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the device being used to temporarily immobilizea local area of heart tissue in which access to the heart is achievedthrough a minithoractomy.

FIGS. 2a and 2 b depict a first type of suction device shown in use inFIG. 1.

FIGS. 3a and 3 b depict a second type of suction device shown in use inFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the suction paddle used inthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the suction paddle used in thepresent invention taken along the line 5—5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the suction arm used in thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the suction arm used in the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a pair of suction devices being positionedon a heart and spread apart.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the effect of the spread-apart motion depicted inFIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is an example of the motion in the plane parallel to the surfaceof the heart of a point on heart tissue during one half respiratorycycle when the heart is unrestrained and also depicting the motion ofthe same point on heart tissue when the suction devices are used.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 11 depicting the motion of thesame point on heart tissue when the suction devices are used.

FIG. 13 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the device being used to temporarilyimmobilize a local area of heart tissue in which access to the heart isachieved through a median sternotomy.

FIG. 15 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention, shown placed against the surface of the heart.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the alternate embodiment of the presentinvention device shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a further alternate embodiment of the presentinvention, shown placed against the surface of the heart.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of still further alternate embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a body showing an alternativemethod of achieving access to the surface of the heart, and inparticular of achieving such access using minimally invasive trocars.

FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view of a body showing an alternateembodiment of the present invention, and in particular, an alternateembodiment of the securing device.

FIG. 20B is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 20A.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a securing device.

FIG. 22 depicts an overhead view of the securing device.

FIG. 23 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of suction device.

FIG. 24 is a further alternate embodiment of a suction device.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of animmobilizing device.

FIG. 26A is a view of the bottom of an alternate embodiment of a suctionpaddle used in the immobilizing device.

FIG. 26B is a perspective view of a further alternate embodiment of asuction paddle used in the immobilizing device.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a turning handle used to bend or orientthe suction paddle portion of the immobilizing device.

FIG. 28 is a bottom view of an alternate embodiment of immobilizingdevice.

FIG. 29 is a plan view of a spreader used in an alternate embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 30 depicts an alternate embodiment of spreader.

FIG. 31 depicts an alternate embodiment of immobilizing device and, inparticular, an alternate embodiment of the securing device used tosecure each suction paddle to the operating table rail.

FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view of the arm shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 depicts a further alternate embodiment of the present invention,and in particular of a suction device substantially similar to thatshown in FIG. 13 but for that the suction ports are located at the topof the suction paddle.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a view of the immobilizing device 11 being used to temporarilyimmobilize an area of heart tissue. In the preferred embodiment,surgical access to the local area of heart tissue is achieved through amini-thoracotomy, preferably performed within either the fourth or fifthintercostal space. An incision 10 of approximately 10 centimeters ismade into chest cavity between the ribs (seen here in phantom.) The ribcartilage may be temporarily removed and the ribs surrounding theincision slightly spread apart using a retractor (not shown) to provideadequate surgical access to the mammary artery and the heart. As seen, apair of suction devices 12, 13 are introduced. The first suction device12 is introduced through a small stab wound 8 in between the ribsapproximately 10 cm. below incision 10. This stab wound is made in anyacceptable manner. Incidentally, once the surgery has been completed,the stab wound may be used for the thorax drain after the closure of thechest. As discussed below with reference to FIG. 19, the suction devicehas a covering 180, made from latex rubber, over the distal end when itpenetrates the chest wall in order to avoid blood and tissue fromentering the suction ports and block suction apertures. Once suctiondevice is introduced, covering 180 is removed and the distal end ispositioned onto heart. The second suction device 13 is introducedthrough incision 10 onto the surface of the heart. As seen, the distalend of each suction device is ultimately positioned in the local area ofheart tissue to be immobilized, i.e. on either side of a coronary arteryupon which a graft is to be made.

As seen, suction devices 12, 13 are secured using securing devices 14,15 respectively to a stationary object, such as surgical table 16. Ofcourse other objects besides the surgical table may be used as astationary object, including the floor, ceiling or even the patient,such as a portion of the skeletal system of the patient, e.g. thesternum. In the preferred embodiment, each securing device 14,15 is avariable friction arm, model no. 244 available from Manfrotto Nord, Inc.of Zona Industriale di Villapaiera, I-32032 Feltre BL, Italy. Eachsecuring device 14, 15 has a series of elbow joints 17 which may belocked in position. Thus the securing device permits the suction deviceto be locked into any position desired within three-dimensional space.Although not show, each securing device (or each suction device or both)may also be interconnected such that a truss type structure is createdand the entire stiffness or rigidity of the immobilizing device 11 isimproved.

Suction devices 12, 13 are coupled to a suction source 114 through lines20, 21. Suction source 114 is preferably the standard suction availablein the operating room and coupled to the devices with a two liter bufferflask (not shown) for each device. Suction is provided at a negativepressure of between 200-600 mm Hg with 400 mm Hg preferred. As seen,each suction device has essentially two portions, a paddle 22 and an arm23. FIGS. 2 and 3 detail suction devices 12 and 13 respectively.

Turning now to FIGS. 2a and 2 b, FIG. 2a is a side view of a suctiondevice 12 showing its placement against the outline of a heart. As seen,the distal end of suction device comprises a paddle 22 and arm 23coupled together by a continuous hinge or neck 71. Paddle 22 has agenerally planar surface which conforms generally to the curvature of aheart 1, shown here in outline. In the preferred embodiment, suction arm23 is coupled to suction paddle 22 such that suction paddle 22 may berotated or bent to achieve the desired orientation relative to arm 23.This is accomplished by neck 71. Neck 71 is fashioned to be relativelybendable, that is to be bent by hand into the desired orientation, asopposed to paddle 22 and arm 23, which are rigid. In the preferredembodiment suction paddle 22 and suction arm 23 are constructed ofstainless steel 316, while neck 71 is constructed of stainless steel321. Of course other means may be provided to permit paddle 22 to moveor rotate relative to arm 23 other than making neck 71 to be malleableby hand, such as a locking hinge as well as a remotely actuable joint,as is well known in the art. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,277 ofHassler, incorporated herein by reference. A remotely actuable hinge isbelieved particularly advantageous for a suction device usedendoscopically. In an alternate embodiment paddle may be fixed in arigid orientation relative to arm. As seen, arm 23 has a suction lumen30 therethrough which communicates with a suction conduit 31 in paddle22 through neck lumen 72. Suction conduit 31 in paddle 22 furthercommunicates through suction hole 32 (best seen in FIG. 2b) to suctionport 33.

FIG. 2b is a view of the bottom of suction device 12. As seen, in thepreferred embodiment four suction ports 33 in a row are featured,although the specific or exact number and position used may vary. Eachsuction port 33 has a suction aperture 32, each of which are preferablylocated at a position off-center from suction port 33. Suction apertures32 are positioned off center from suction ports 33 so that if a largeupwelling of tissue is caused by the suction (which may occur as ablister or bell-shaped curve) the tissue will not immediately close offthe suction by obstructing suction aperture 32, as it would if theaperture were in the center of suction port 33. In addition, eachsuction aperture 32 has a much smaller diameter as compared to thediameter of suction port 33. This creates a high resistance pathwaybetween suction port 33 and suction conduit 31 which permits the loss ofa tissue-to-port seal in one suction port (and thus loss of fixation ofthe suction port to the tissue) to not also cause a precipitous pressuredrop in the remainder of the suction ports. In the preferred embodimentsuction aperture 32 has a diameter of 2 mm and suction port 33 has adiameter of 6 mm. As can be seen through a comparison between FIGS. 2Aand 2B the relatively straight sided suction ports define a generallyplanar surface through the ends of each port.

Turning now to FIGS. 3a and 3 b, FIG. 3a is a side view of a suctiondevice 13 shown in FIG. 1. As seen, the distal end of suction device 13comprises paddle 22 and arm 23 coupled together by a continuous hinge orneck 71. Paddle 22 has a generally planar surface which conformsgenerally to the curvature of a heart 1. In the preferred embodiment,suction arm 23 is coupled to suction paddle 22 such that suction paddle22 may be rotated or bent along any of the three axes to achieve thedesired orientation relative to arm 23. This is accomplished by neck 71.Neck 71 is substantially similar to that discussed in FIG. 2a but forthe fact that suction device 13 has suction paddle 22 at an angledorientation to suction arm 23. In the preferred embodiment suctionpaddle 22 of suction device 13 is perpendicular to suction arm 23,although other angular orientations may be used.

FIG. 3b is a view of the bottom of suction device 13. As seen, in thepreferred embodiment suction paddle 22 of suction device 13 issubstantially similar to that described in FIG. 2b. In the preferredembodiment suction aperture 32 has a diameter of 2 mm and suction port33 has a diameter of 6 mm.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of suction paddle 22 usedin immobilizing device 11. As seen, paddle 22 has a series of suctionports 33 each of which is connected to suction conduit 31 through asuction aperture 32. Each suction port 33 has generally straight,cylindrical sides. Of course other configurations may be used, such ascone-shaped suction ports, dome-shaped suction ports, etc. As can beseen through this FIG. it is the bottoms or ends themselves of thesuction ports define a generally planar surface through the ends of eachport along the bottom surface of the paddle. Moreover, although shownhere as conjoined or defining a continuous surface, suction ports may befurther arranged such that they are each separate and distinct from oneanother, but which would still define a planar surface along throughtheir ends along the bottom of the paddle.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the suction paddle 22 taken alongthe line 5—5 of FIG. 4. As seen, suction port 33 is connected to suctionconduit 31 through suction aperture 32. Suction paddle 22 has a cantedor slanted surface 36 at the top. Through this type of surface, area 37may be better accessed for performing surgical procedures.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of suction arm 23. Distalend 71 of suction arm 23 has neck 71 (not shown in this FIG.) fixedthereto. As seen, arm 23 has a suction lumen 30 therethrough whichcommunicates with suction conduit 31 in paddle 22 through neck lumen 72of neck 71 (shown in phantom in this FIG.). As seen in FIG. 7, which isa plan view of suction arm 23, proximal end 75 has a series of knurledridges 76 to facilitate coupling a suction line coming from suctionsource (not shown in this FIG) to suction arm 23.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a pair of suction devices 12, 13 beingpositioned on a heart and spread apart. As seen, paddles 22, 27 of eachdevice generally are placed in the area 34 in which temporaryimmobilization of the heart tissue is desired. When used for a coronarybypass graft, area 34 typically will have a coronary artery 35 runningtherethrough. Area 34 is between paddles 22, 27. Once placed about area34, suction is then created in the suction ports (not shown in thisview.) Through the suction, the device then is fixed to or grabs hold ofthe heart tissue.

Once the suction is created and the paddles are secured to the hearttissue, each of the suction devices are then spread slightly apart asshown by the arrows 40, 41 to the positions shown as 42, 43. The effectof this spreading apart is to cause a tension to be created in the area34 of the heart tissue between the paddles. The tension causes the area34 to be further immobilized, and in particular in the Z-direction, i.e.in the direction normal to the plane defined by the surface of theheart. This is represented in FIGS. 9 and 10.

As seen in FIG. 9, the area of heart tissue between the paddles, evenwith the placement of the paddles, still has some vertical motion, shownhere as arrow 50. When paddles 22, 27 are slightly spread apart to causea tension in that area 34 of tissue between the paddles, as depicted inFIG. 10, then the amount of movement in the area 34 between the paddles22, 27 due to the tension is further decreased, especially in theZ-direction, i.e. the direction perpendicular to the surface of theheart 1. Once the paddles 22, 27 are thus positioned and secured and thearea of the tissue is temporarily immobilized, the coronary artery inthat area may be operated upon.

In the preferred embodiment, the anastomosis of the coronary artery maybe accomplished through any acceptable end-to-side or side-to-sidetechnique. Of course, other methods of performing the anastomosis may beused, such as those methods which may be performed endoscopically.

FIG. 11 is an example of the motion in the plane parallel to the surfaceof the heart of a point on heart tissue during one half respiratorycycle when the heart is unrestrained and also depicting the motion ofthe same point on heart tissue when the suction devices are used. Line60 is a tracing of the motion of a point of tissue on the cardiacsurface. As seen by line 60, a point on the cardiac surface movesapproximately 15 mm in each direction. Generally, each loop of movementdepicts the motion of the beating heart within one cardiac cycle. Thus,loop 61 occurs due to one cardiac cycle. Loop 62 occurs due to the nextcardiac cycle, but the entire heart has shifted in location somewhat dueto the inflation or deflation of the lungs associated with respiration.Line 63 shows the motion of the same point of heart tissue when thesuction device is placed near the area and the heart wall is immobilizedby the present invention. As seen, the present invention functions tominimize heart wall movement in that area to approximately 1 mm in eachdirection. This is best seen in FIG. 12 which is an enlarged portion ofFIG. 11 and in particular line 63. As seen, through the use of thepresent invention, heart wall movement has been decreased to onlyslightly more than 1 mm. Decreased to an amount in the area of thesuction devices such that the still-beating heart may be operated uponin that area using an endoscope or any other method of minimallyinvasive surgery.

FIG. 13 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention. As seen,the embodiment of FIG. 13 comprises a suction sleeve 80 which is coupledto an annular suction head 81 via a ball bearing joint 84. Ball bearingjoint 84 may be provided so as to permit remote actuation of the suctionhead 81 from a position outside the chest. The suction head 81 has aseries of suction ports 82 located along a first planar surface. In theembodiment shown the planar surface upon which the suction ports 82 arelocated is conical in shape, although other types of planar surface maybe used, such as frusto-conical for example. The suction head 81 may beconstructed such that each half of the device is coupled to a separatesuction source. Through such a configuration, if one-half of the suctionhead 81 were to lose contact with the surface, the other one-half of thesuction head 81 could maintain capture. The suction sleeve 80 is used asdescribed above. That is the suction sleeve 80 itself is coupled to asuction source (not shown but the same as suction source 114) and isfixed or immobilized to a stationary point, such as the operating tableor a retractor (also not shown.) Suction through the suction source andthe suction sleeve 80 then causes the suction ports 82 to suck upon theheart tissue. Through this configuration, then, the heart tissue in thecenter of suction sleeve is immobilized. Interruption or opening 83permits suction head 81 to be fixed to heart tissue while permitting ablood vessel to be grafted. In particular, if a mammary artery has beengrafted end-to-side to a coronary artery, then the opening 83 permitsthe suction head 81 to be removed from around the grafted artery.

FIG. 14 is a view of the device being used to temporarily immobilize alocal area of heart tissue using an alternative access procedure to thepreferred mini-thoracotomy. In particular heart 1 is exposed with anincision 2 through the patient's sternum and the chest is spread apartby a retractor 3 to provide access to the heart 1 Access to the heart 1is further effected by retraction of the pericardium 4 in the area ofthe heart 1 which is to be operated on. As shown pericardial retractionis accomplished through sutures 5.

As seen, the immobilizing device 11 comprises a pair of suction devices12, 13 and a suction source 114. Suction devices 12,13 are secured topatient be securing each to retractor 3 through a pair of clamps 19. Ofcourse suction devices 12, 13 may also be secured to the operat ingtable (not shown in this FIG. but using a securing device as describedabove.) Suction devices are coupled to suction source 114 through lines20, 21. Suction source 114 is preferably the standard suction availablein the operating room and coupled to the devices with a two liter bufferflask (not shown) for each device. Suction is provided at a negativepressure of between 200-600 mm Hg with 400 mm Hg preferred. As seen,each suction device has essentially two portions, a paddle 22 and an arm23.

Turning now to FIG. 15 which is a side view of an alternate embodimentof suction device 12 showing its placement against the outline of aheart. As seen, the distal end of suction device comprises a paddle 22and arm 23. Paddle 22 has a generally planar surface which conformsgenerally to the curvature of a heart 1, shown here in outline. Thepaddle 22 is coupled to arm 23 through a pin 24. The pin 24 permits thepaddle 22 to be swiveled to the pr eferred angle relative to arm 23. Asseen, arm 23 has a suction lumen 30 therethrough which communicates witha suction conduit 31 in paddle 22. Suction conduit 31, in turn,communicates through suction aperture 32 (best seen in FIG. 4) tosuction port 33.

FIG. 16 is a view of the bottom of suction device 12 shown in FIG. 15.As seen, four suction ports 33 in a row are featured, although thespecific or exact number and position used may vary.

FIG. 17 is a further alternate embodiment of a suction device 12 showingits placement against the outline of a heart. As seen, suction device 12is substantially similar to that shown and described in FIG. 2, but forthe addition of suture coil 73. Suture coil 73 is a tightly wound springfixed to the top surface of suction paddle 22. Further temporarystabilization of the coronary anastomosis site may be achieved, ifdesired, by catching epicardial flaps with light traction sutures.Suture coil 73 permits these and any other sutures to be temporarilyfixed in place by wedging the suture between within suture coil 73, asis known in the art.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of a further alternate embodiment of suctiondevice 12. As seen, suction device 12 is substantially similar to thatshown and described in FIG. 2, but for the addition of electrode 174along a side of suction paddle 22. Electrode 174 is coupled by lead 175to pulse generator 176. Electrode 174, lead 175 and pulse generator 176may be provided according to well know methods and materials so as topermit the heart to be paced, cardioverted or defibrillated whilesuction device 12 is fixed to the surface of the heart.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a body showing an alternate methodof achieving access to a surface of the heart and using the presentinvention to immobilize an area of tissue. As seen suction device 12 isintroduced through a first stab wound. As discussed above, suction arm23 of device 12 is secured by securing device 14 to a stationary object,such as operating table 16. A second suction device may also beintroduced through a second stab wound to securely immobilize a localarea of tissue. Each suction device has a covering 180, made from latexrubber, over the distal end when it penetrates the chest wall in orderto avoid blood and tissue from entering the suction ports and blocksuction apertures. Two or more additional surgical trocars 78 may beintroduced to permit endoscopy and surgical access to heart 1. Inaddition the left lung 79 may also be partially collapsed so as toprovide an unencumbered area in which to manipulate the surgicalinstruments.

FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view of a body showing an alternateembodiment of the present invention, and in particular, an alternateembodiment of the securing device. In this embodiment, securing devicecomprises a pair of anchors 201, 202 which are attached to surgicaltable 203. As seen, surgical table is attached by pedestal 204 to thefloor 205. Each anchor is attached on either side of the table using apair of fasteners 206, 207. In the preferred embodiment, fasteners are apair of screws which couple with longitudinal slots within each anchorto permit the anchors to be adjusted both in an inward and outwarddirection as well as up and down, as shown by the arrows. As seen,anchors are designed to follow the contour of patient 210 to therebyprovide a smooth surface over which a surgeon may operate. Each anchoris attached to retractor 3 by fasteners 211, 212. On the retractor 3 amounting rail 999 is attached, best seen in FIG. 20B discussed below.Attached in turn to mounting rail is a pair of slip-grip type holders12A, 13A or any other holder which permits an object to be quickly butsecurely mounted or removed, and mounted in turn to holders are a pairof suction devices 12B, 13B as has been already previously discussedabove. In the preferred embodiment, each anchor is a strip ofbiocompatible metal, such as stainless steel, approximately 5-8centimeters in width and 0.6-0.8 centimeters in thickness. As seenpositioned at the bottom of anchors is a truss. In particular eachanchor has fixed to it a descending member 216, 217, each of which arelinked together by a pair of cross-braces 218, 219. Cross-braces may ormay not be coupled together at their center points. As can beappreciated, through this truss construction the stability of anchorsand thus the suction devices mounted thereto is increased.

FIG. 20B is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG.20A. As seen,mounted to anchors 201, 202 is a mounting rail 999. In the preferredembodiment mounting rail is ellipsoidal in shape. As seen mounting railis used to mount slip-grip type holders 12A, 13A and their correspondingsuction devices. To be precise, mounting rail permits the suctiondevices to be securely mounted but yet be easily moved in the area ofthe surgical procedure. The ellipsoidal shape, moreover, correspondsmore suitably to the surgical area. Of course, other shapes may also beused, such as circular, or non-symmetrical, for example. Of course otherconfigurations of a mounting rail, retractor and anchor may be used,such as a retractor integral with the anchors or a mounting railintegral with the retractor or both, to mention only two of the manypossibilities.

In use, access to the heart is achieved and retraction of the chest wallis performed prior to the positioning of the anchors. Once the heartaccess is achieved, the retractor is coupled to the anchors and theanchors are then fixed to the table. At this point, the retractor isthus immobilized with respect to the table and provides a stationaryobject to which the immobilizing device featuring the a pair of suctiondevices 12B, 13B may be coupled.

FIGS. 21 and 22 depict a further alternate embodiment of the securingdevice. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a securing device. As seen, inthis embodiment, the securing device comprises a pair of formed rails220, 221. As seen, each rail is coupled to the surgical table 203through a series of screws 222, 223. Although not shown in the FIGS.each rail further features a truss-like structure such as that shown inFIG. 20 A which is positioned below the table which provides additionalrigidity and stability. As seen, each rail is further formed to slopeinwardly toward the patient 210 (shown in outline in this FIG.) Thisprovides for access above the patient by the surgeon. Straddling betweeneach rail is a mounting 224. The mounting is adjustable along the rail.The mountings are further designed to have a suction device mountedthereto. In such a manner, the mounting 224 and rails 220, 221 provide astationary object to which the suction device may be mounted.

FIG. 22 depicts an overhead view of the rails 220, 221 used to positiona suction device to the heart. As seen, in this embodiment, two suctiondevices 225, 226 are fastened to the mounting using a pair of slip-griptype holders 12A, 13A as already discussed above.

Turing now to FIG. 23 which is a side view of an alternate embodiment ofsuction device 12. As seen this alternate embodiment of suction device12 features a suction port 33 as already described above. Each suctionport is connected to a suction conduit 31 through a suction aperture 32as also already described above. In this embodiment, however, thesuction device further provides for the distribution of irrigation fluidonto the area of the heart where an anastomosis will be performed. Asseen, the irrigation fluid source 133 is coupled by an irrigation line134 to the irrigation fluid conduit 135. The irrigation fluid conduit,in turn, is coupled to an irrigation hose 136. As shown, irrigation hoseis designed to have some flexibility to permit it to be rotated andmoved along several angles and is preferably a braided stainless steelhose. Irrigation hose dispenses irrigation fluid at its end. Irrigationfluid preferably is a warm saline mist which prevents the exposedtissues from drying out. Moreover, the fluid is dispensed under pressuresuch that the mist has a force to it which permits the mist to be usedto blow with sufficient force to assist in holding open a coronaryartery such that the anastomosis may be performed more easily. Suctiondevice further features a return irrigation fluid circuit. As seen,return irrigation fluid circuit comprises a return irrigation port 140which is coupled to a return irrigation conduit 141. Return irrigationconduit is coupled to a suction source to provide suction to returnirrigation pipe 142 such that the irrigation fluid which is dispensedmay be readily removed from the surgical area. Although shown as anintegral part of the suction device, both the irrigation system as wellas the suction system may or may not be a part of the suction device.

FIG. 24 is a further alternate embodiment of a suction device. As seen,suction device features the suction port, suction conduit and suctionaperture as already described above. In this embodiment, however, thesuction device further features an optical fiber 150 which is coupled atone end to the area of the suction device where the anastomosis will beperformed and is further coupled to a light source 151. In this manner,the suction device may be used to provide additional light 152 to thearea where the anastomosis will be performed.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of animmobilizing device 11. As seen, in this embodiment, each suction deviceis coupled to a mounting beam 998 through a pair of holders 12A, 13 A asalready described above with reference to FIG. 20A. Mounting beam 998features two sections, each of which may be individually rotated aboutor spread apart or both. In particular mounting beam has a central screwmembers 997, 996. Each central screw member has an actuating knob 994,995 at an end thereof. Rotation of each knob thereby causes the suctiondevice mounted to that portion of the mounting beam to move either awayor towards the center of the mounting beam, as indicated by line 993.Mounting beam 998 is mounted to a stationary object, such as aretractor, mounting rail or fixation arm, through a central arm 992.Each suction device may further be rotated relative to the mounting beamthrough simply moving each of the relevant devices, as indicated by thelines 991, 990. The use of mounting beam to retain suction devices is ofuse when only one fixation arm is to be used. In such a manner mountingbeam permits both device to be fixed to a stationary object as well aspermitting suction devices to be moved apart to thereby provideadditional immobilization to a local area of tissue, as discussed abovewith regards to FIGS. 8-10.

FIG. 26A is a view of the bottom of an alternate embodiment of suctionpaddle 22 used in the immobilizing device. As seen, paddle has a seriesof suction ports, each of which is connected to suction conduit througha suction aperture. In this embodiment, the paddle features five suctionports. The additional side suction port is presented on the side of thesuction paddle which will not be near the coronary artery or, ingeneral, the surgical target. The additional port increases the suctionsurface area. Each suction port 33 has a 6 mm diameter while eachsuction aperture 32 has a 2 mm diameter.

FIG. 26B is a perspective view of the bottom of an alternate embodimentof suction paddle 22 used in the immobilizing device. As seen in thisembodiment the paddle 22 is oriented at a ninety degree angle relativeto the neck portion 71 and arm 23. Of course paddle may also be orientedat another suitable angle other than ninety degrees relative to neckportion. In this embodiment, the paddle features four suction ports,although more or less ports may also be provided. Each suction port 33has a 6 mm diameter while each suction aperture 32 has a 2 mm diameter.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a turning handle 161 used to bend ororient the suction paddle 22 portion of the immobilizing device. Asdiscussed above neck 71 is fashioned to be relatively bendable, asopposed to paddle 22 and arm 23. As seen, handle 161 features opening980 having the same shape and dimension of paddle such that paddle maythus be inserted therein. Handle also features neck portion 982 and gripportion 981, Neck and grip portion are dimensioned to provide leverageagainst opening 980 and thus paddle, neck and arm. To use, paddle isinserted into opening. Once inserted manipulation of grip portionrelative to arm causes bending in the area of neck. Such a handle may beadvantageous as compared to bending of the device by hand in that itavoids the surgeon from straining hand muscles which will be needed toperform delicate manipulations.

FIG. 28 is a bottom view of an alternate embodiment of immobilizingdevice 11. As seen, immobilizing device features a pair of suctionpaddles 171, 172, each of which is coupled to an arm by a continuoushinge or neck as discussed above. The arm in turn, is coupled to astationary object, also discussed above. In this embodiment, the armsare further fastened together using a spreader 180. As seen, spreader180 permits the arms to be moved relatively apart or together. Asalready discussed above, the movement of the arms apart is performedonce the paddles are engaging by suction the surface of the heart tothereby increase epicardial tension locally and thus dampen or decreasethe motion of the surface of the heart due to the intrinsic beating ofthe heart. Spreader also functions to provide additional stability topaddles due to its function as a truss-like member.

Turning to FIG. 29, spreader 180 comprises a pair of bars 181, 182 whichare coupled together using a wing nut 183. One bar features anengagement pin 184 while the other bar features an engagement slot 185.Each bar is further coupled to each of the respective arms of theimmobilizing device by a respective lumen 186, 187. In such a manner,each bar is securely coupled to each arm. By longitudinally manipulatingeach of the bars apart as shown by arrow 188, each arm and thus eachpaddle may be securely positioned relatively closer or further apart.

FIG. 30 depicts an alternate embodiment of spreader 180. As seen,spreader features a pair of bars which couple to each of the arms of arespective suction device, as described above. Bars are further coupledtogether using gearing 190. Gearing, in turn, is coupled to a motor 191.As seen, motor is further coupled to a power source 192. Coupling bothmotor and power source together is a control 193. Control automaticallydetects the amount of spread within the suction devices caused byspreader. In the preferred embodiment, control senses the amount ofpower or energy required by motor to further spread spreader and thussuction paddles apart. When a threshold amount is reached, control shutsdown the source of power for motor, thereby locking the spreader in thepresent position. The feature thus permits a spreader to automaticallyspread the suction paddles apart to a degree sufficient to dampen wallmotion without permitting the spreader to spread paddles apart too muchsuch that capture of the heart wall due to suction is lost. Of course,further designs to control the spreading of suction paddles may also beused, such as other mechanical or hydraulic actuated or controlledsystems.

FIG. 31 depicts an alternate embodiment of immobilizing device and, inparticular, an alternate embodiment of the securing device used tosecure each suction paddle. As seen this system features a pair of arms351, 351 having a ball and socket construction. As seen each armfeatures at its free end a slip and grip-type holder 12A and 13A asdiscussed above. The opposite end of each arm fits into a footing 970,971. Each footing is lockable to a rail clamp unit 968, 969 which locksonto the rail 901, 902 at the side edges of table 203. Positioned at thebottom of rail clamp unit is locking actuator 967, 968. Each lockingactuator cooperates within the arm to thereby cause the arm to be lockedinto position when the respective handle is turned in one of thedirections indicated by arrows 965. In particular locking actuatorcauses a cable located with the respective arm to tighten, which, due tothe ball and socket construction thereby causes the arm to be lockedinto position. Positioned at the bottom of each locking actuator is atruss. In particular each locking actuator has fixed to it a descendingmember 216, 217, each of which are linked together by a pair ofcross-braces 218, 219. Cross-braces may or may not be coupled togetherat their center points. As can be appreciated, through this trussconstruction the stability of anchors and thus the suction devicesmounted thereto is increased, as described earlier in FIG. 20A.

FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view of an arm shown in FIG. 31, and inparticular showing a detail of the ball and socket construction. As seenonly one portion is shown to illustrate the ball and socketconstruction. Each tube 800 (several of which are used to create arm)has its end fashioned to correspond to the shape of the ball 801, thatis each relevant end of tube features a hemispherical hollow having aradius which corresponds to the outer surface of the ball such that alarger portion of the tube contacts the ball as compared to if the endof the tube were only cut straight across. This geometry increases thesurface area between the tube and each ball which thereby increases thestability of the arm when fixed into position. Each ball 801 furtherfeatures an internal bushing 802. As seen each internal bushing isshaped to have a tapered opening 803 at each end. Positioned through thelength of arm, and in particular within each tube element and ball iscable 804. Cable is preferably constructed from kevlar and features apolyurethane covering and is fastened to either end of the arm such thatby tensioning the cable the ball and tube portions are brought togetherand fixed in relation due to friction. The operation of arm is asfollows. When no tension is placed on the cable, each tube element mayslip relatively easily relative to each ball. Tension on the cable,however, increases the friction between tube and ball. Sufficienttension thereby results in the ball and tube becoming immovable relativeto each other. The taper 803 within each bushing 802 permits the cableto remain at the same length regardless of the orientation of each tubeelement and each ball. That is, if the arm is bent and has a radius ofcurvature, the taper permits the cable to remain at the same lengthregardless. This thus permits the arm to be more easily moved andthereafter locked into place.

FIG. 33 depicts a further alternate embodiment of the present invention,and in particular of a suction device substantially similar to thatshown in FIG. 13 but for that two separate sets of suction ports arelocated at the top of the suction paddle. As seen each suction line hasa stopcock 861, 862 to permit either or both sets of related suctionports to be independently disconnected from their respective suctionsource. Arm 823 contains lumens for each suction line and ends wherenecks 871, 872 begin, As discussed above, each neck is designed to bend.Suction paddle is mounted to necks and as seen features an encirclingarray of suction ports, located at the upper surface of the paddlerelative to the arm. Suction paddle features sixteen suction ports,arranged as a set of eight along one side 81 coupled to one suction lineand a second set of eight along another side 82 coupled to anothersuction line. Through this arrangement even if one side loses capturewith the tissue, because the other side is coupled to another suctionsource, pressure is not lost on that side and capture in that area ismaintained. In the embodiment shown the suction ports are located alonga generally conical planar surface at the top of the paddle, althoughother types of planar surfaces may be used, such as frusto-conical forexample. The orientation of the suction ports along the top of theencircling paddle is most useful to access the posterior or backside ofthe heart so as to move or reposition the heart to achieve better accessto areas which would otherwise be difficult to access.

To further assist in the exposure of the surgical site, accessretractors may also be used in conjunction with the immobilizing device,such as spoon shaped probes to move other tissue from the area ofsurgical interest.

As disclosed, the present invention relates to a method and apparatusfor immobilizing tissue. In the preferred embodiment, the invention isused to immobilize heart tissue for a coronary artery bypass graftprocedure using either an open or closed chest approach, without theneed for a cardiopulmonary bypass. Other surgical techniques, however,which require immobilizing body tissue may also be performed using thepresent invention, such as surgery on other organs such as the stomach,gall bladder, etc., as well as on other body tissues, such as the eye orthe skin, for example. In addition, while the present invention has beendescribed in detail with particular reference to a preferred embodimentand alternate embodiments, it should be understood variations andmodifications can be effected within the scope or the following claims.Such modifications may include substituting elements or components whichperform substantially the same function in substantially the same way toachieve substantially the same result for those described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical device for temporarily immobilizing anarea of tissue comprising: a first member having a first suction port; asecond member having a second suction port, the second member positionedapart from the first member such that the immobilized area is definedbetween; a securing device to temporarily fix the first member and thesecond member to a stationary object such that the first and secondmembers are immobilized, the securing device coupled to the first memberand the second member; and means for spreading the first member apartfrom the second member.
 2. The medical device of claim 1 furthercomprising means for spreading the first member apart from the secondmember.
 3. A device for immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: afirst member having a first suction port; a second member having asecond suction port, the second member positioned apart from the firstmember such that the immobilized area of tissue is defined between; asecuring device to secure the first member and the second member to astationary object, the securing device coupled to the first member andthe second member; and, means for spreading the first member apart fromthe second member, wherein the means for spreading the first memberapart from the second member comprise a first bar fixed to the firstmember and a second bar coupled to the second member, the first barhaving a linear slot and the second bar having means for engaging thelinear slot and fixing the second bar to the first bar.
 4. The device ofclaim 3 wherein the means for spreading the first member apart from thesecond member comprise motor means coupled to the first member and thesecond member to cause the first member to move apart from the secondmember, power means coupled to the motor means to power the motor means,and control means coupled to the motor means and the power means tocontrol the operation of the motor means.
 5. The device of claim 2wherein the stationary object is a retractor which is adapted to coupleto a skeletal system of a patient.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein theretractor comprises at least one mounting rail or beam.
 7. The device ofclaim 6 wherein the securing device is coupled to the patient's skeletalsystem via a retractor.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein the retractorcomprises at least one mounting rail or beam.
 9. The device of claim 3wherein the immobilized area of tissue comprises a coronary artery. 10.The device of claim 3 wherein the securing device is bendable.
 11. Thedevice of claim 3 wherein the securing device comprises at least onejoint or hinge that may be moved or locked into position.
 12. The deviceof claim 11 wherein the joint or hinge is actuable remotely from outsidea patient's body.
 13. The device of claim 3 wherein the securing devicecomprises an arm.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein the arm isbendable.
 15. The device of claim 13 wherein the arm is a variablefriction arm.
 16. The device of claim 3 wherein the securing devicecomprises at least one ball and socket that may be moved or locked intoposition.
 17. The device of claim 16 wherein the ball and socketsecuring device comprises a plurality of tube elements jointed togetherby a plurality of ball elements, the tube elements having socket endsshaped to mate with the ball elements, a cable disposed throughout theseries of ball elements and tube elements and a locking actuator coupledto the cable, the locking actuator being capable of tightening the cableto lock the securing device into position.
 18. The device of claim 17further comprising a means for maintaining the same length of the cablewithin the secuing device regardless of the orientation of any tubeelement to an adjacent ball element .
 19. The device of claim 18 whereinthe means for maintaining the same length of the cable within thesecurngne device comprises tapered bushings positioned within the lumenof the ball elements, the tapered bushings having a passage way thereoutwhich has a first diameter at a first end, a second diameter in themiddle and a first diameter at an end opposite the first end, the firstdiameter being larger than the second diameter.
 20. The device of claim3 wherein the securing device comprises a clamp.
 21. The device of claim3 wherein the securing device comprises a slip-grip type holder.
 22. Thedevice of claim 3 wherein the first and second members comprise paddles.23. The device of claim 3 wherein the first member and the second memberboth comprise a surface that conforms generally to the curvature of apatient's heart.
 24. The device of claim 3 wherein the first member andthe second member both comprise a suction conduit.
 25. The device ofclaim 24 wherein the suction conduit is connected to the suction portthrough a suction aperture.
 26. The device of claim 25 wherein thesuction aperture has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the suctionport.
 27. The device of claim 26 wherein the suction aperture is locatedoff-center from the suction port.
 28. The device of claim 21 furthercomprising a suction line or lumen for communicating a suction from asource of negative pressure to the suction conduit.
 29. The device ofclaim 28 wherein the suction is provided at a negative pressure betweenabout 200 and about 600 mm Hg.
 30. The device of claim 3 wherein thesuction ports are cylindrical-shaped.
 31. The device of claim 3 whereinthe suction ports are cone-shaped.
 32. The device of claim 3 wherein thesuction ports are dome-shaped.
 33. The device of claim 3 furthercomprising a means for dispensing an irrigation fluid.
 34. The device ofclaim 3 further comprising a means for removing an irrigation fluid. 35.The device of claim 3 further comprising a means for delivering light.36. The device of claim 3 further comprising a suture fixation member.37. The device of claim 36 wherein the suture fixation member comprisesa coil.
 38. The device of claim 3 further comprising one or moreelectrodes.
 39. The device of claim 38 wherein the electrodes arecoupled by a lead to a pulse generator.
 40. The device of claim 3wherein the suction ports of the first member and the second member areboth arranged in a row.
 41. The device of claim 3 further comprising acoupling means wherein the coupling means couples the securing device tothe first member and the second member.
 42. The device of claim 41wherein the coupling means is an adjustable, bendable, flexible or rigidneck.
 43. The device of claim 41 wherein the coupling means is ajoint orhinge that may be moved or locked into position.
 44. The device of claim43 wherein the joint or hinge is actuable remotely from outside apatient's body.
 45. Surgical apparatus adapted to be coupled to a sourceof negative pressure for temporarily immobilizing an area of a beatingheart to facilitate a surgical procedure to be performed on the heartwhile the heart is beating comprising: a suction device having a contactsurface adapted to be placed against the heart, the suction devicehaving an internal suction conduit open to the atmosphere through atleast one suction port extending from said suction conduit through saidcontact surface; immobilizing means for immobilizing said suction devicewith said contact surface placed against the heart; and said suctiondevice further comprising means for conducting suction from said sourceof negative pressure to said suction conduit, whereby suction drawnthrough said suction port engages the surface of the heart against saidcontact surface and immobilizes a local area of the beating heart nearthe suction device while the suction device is supported.
 46. Thesurgical apparatus of claim 45, wherein said suction device furthercomprises: a paddle having said suction conduit formed therein andfoiming said contact suiface through which said suction port extends; anelongated arm having an elongated aim suction lumen extending from afirst arm end to a second aim end, said second arm end adapted to becoupled with said source of negative pressure; and coupling means forcoupling said first aim end with said elongated paddle to support saidelongate paddle and for coupling said suction conduit with said aimsuction lumen at said flist aim end.
 47. The surgical apparatus of claim46, wherein: said immobilizing means further comprises a securing devicefor fixing said arm to a stationary object to thereby immobilize thesuction device and the local area of the beating heart relative to thestationary object.
 48. The surgical apparatus of claim 46, wherein saidcoupling means is adjustable for adjusting said paddle with respect tosaid arm.
 49. The surgical apparatus of claim 46, wherein said couplingmeans is a flexible neck having neck lumen coupling said arm lumen atsaid first arm end with said suction conduit, whereby said flexible neckis bendable to move said paddle relative to said aim to achieve adesirable orientation of said suction poll to the heart.
 50. Thesurgical apparatus of claim 46, wherein said coupling means is aflexible hinge having hinge lumen coupling said arm lumen at said firstarm end with said suction conduit, whereby said hinge is bendable tomove said paddle relative to said arm to achieve a desirable orientationof said suction poll to the heart.
 51. The surgical apparatus of claim45, wherein said suction device further comprises: a paddle having saidsuction conduit formed therein and forming said contact surface throughwhich said suction port extends; a bendable elongated arm having anelongated arm suction lumen extending from a first arm end to a secondarm end, said second arm end adapted to be coupled with said source ofnegative pressure; coupling means for coupling said first arm end withsaid elongated paddle to support said elongate paddle and for couplingsaid suction conduit with said arm suction lumen at said first arm end;and wherein said immobilizing means further comprises a securing devicefor fixing said second arm end to a stationary object and the flexiblearm can be bent to orient the contact surface to an area of the heart tothereby immobilize the suction device and the local area of the beatingheart relative to the stationary object.
 52. The surgical apparatus ofclaim 51, wherein said bendable elongated arm comprises a ball andsocket aim having said arm lumen formed therein.
 53. The surgicalapparatus of claim 45, wherein: said immobilizing means furthercomprises a securing device for fixing said suction device to astationary object to thereby immobilize the suction device and the localarea of the beating heart relative to the stationary object.
 54. Thesurgical apparatus of claim 45, wherein a plurality of suction portsextend from said suction conduit through said contact surface .
 55. Thesurgical apparatus of claim 45, wherein said contact surface is planar,and a plurality of suction ports extend from said suction conduitthrough said contact surface.
 56. The surgical apparatus of claim 45,wherein said contact surface is curved with a curvature conforming tothe curvature of the heart surface, and a plurality of suction portsextend from said suction conduit through said contact surface.
 57. Thesurgical apparatus of claim 45, wherein said suction port comprises asuction aperture of said suction conduit having an aperture area at saidsuction conduit and a suction port area at said contact surface, whereinsaid suction port area exceeds said aperture area.
 58. The surgicalapparatus of claim 45, wherein said suction device further comprises: apaddle having said suction conduit formed therein and forming saidcontact surface through which a plurality of said suction ports extend;an elongated arm having an elongated arm suction lumen extending from afirst arm end to a second arm end, said second arm end adapted to becoupled with said source of negative pressure; and coupling means forcoupling said first arm end with said elongated paddle to support saidelongate paddle and for coupling said suction conduit with said armsuction lumen at said first arm end, said paddle formed with first andsecond paddle portions joined together by a member and extending fromsaid coupling means generally in the same direction with said suctionconduit and said contact surface extending through said first and secondpaddle portions, each paddle portion having at least one suction portextending from said suction conduit through said contact surface,whereby each suction port of said first paddle portion is spaced apartfrom a like suction port of said second paddle portion and the localizedarea of the heart is located between the suction ports of the first andsecond paddle portions.
 59. The surgical apparatus of claim 58, whereinsaid coupling means is adjustable for adjusting said paddle with respectto said arm.
 60. The surgical apparatus of claim 58, wherein: saidimmobilizing means further comprises a securing device for fixing saidsuction device to a stationary object to thereby immobilize the suctiondevice and the local area of the beating heart between the first andsecond paddle portions relative to the stationary object.
 61. Thesurgical apparatus of claim 58, wherein a plurality of suction portsextend from said suction conduit through said contact surface in saidfirst paddle portion, and a like plurality of suction ports extend fromsaid suction conduit through said contact surface in said second paddleportion.
 62. The surgical apparatus of claim 58, wherein: said contactsurface is planar in said flist and second paddle portions; and aplurality of suction ports extend from said suction conduit through saidcontact surface in said first paddle portion, and a like plurality ofsuction ports extend from said suction conduit through said contactsurface in said second paddle portion.
 63. The surgical apparatus ofclaim 58, wherein: said contact surface is curved with a curvatureconforming to the curvature of the heart surface in said first andsecond paddle portions; and a plurality of suction ports extend fromsaid suction conduit through said contact surface in said first paddleportion, and a like plurality of suction ports extend from said suctionconduit through said contact surface in said second paddle portion. 64.Surgical apparatus adapted to be coupled to a source of negativepressure for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue of a beatingheart to facilitate a surgical procedure to be performed on the heartwhile the heart is beating comprising: a first suction device having afirst contact surface adapted to be placed against the heart, the firstsuction device having an internal suction conduit open to the atmospherethrough at least one suction port extending from said suction conduitthrough said first contact surface, said first suction device furthercomprising means for conducting suction from said source of negativepressure to said suction conduit; a second suction device having asecond contact surface adapted to be placed against the heart, thesecond suction device having an internal suction conduit open to theatmosphere tlirough at least one suction port extending from saidsuction conduit through said second contact surface, said second suctiondevice further comprising means for conducting suction from said sourceof negative pressure to said suction conduit; fixing means for fixingsaid first and second suction devices to a stationary object such thatthe first and second suction devices are immobilized with said firstcontact surface placed against a first contact area of the heart andsaid second contact surface placed against a second contact area of theheart spaced apart from said first contact area of the heart, wherebysuction drawn through said first and second suction ports engages hearttissue against said first and second contact surfaces and immobilizes atleast an area of the beating heart intermediate said first contact areaand said second contact area.
 65. The surgical apparatus of claim 64,wherein said fixing means further comprises: means operable followingthe application of suction through said suction ports of said first andsecond suction devices to engage heart tissue against said first andsecond contact surfaces for adjusting the spacing apart of the contactareas of the heart to apply tension to or release tension from hearttissue in the area of the beating heart intermediate said first contactarea and said second contact area.
 66. The surgical apparatus of claim64, wherein said fixing means further comprises: means operablefollowing the application of suction through said suction ports of saidfirst and second suction devices to engage heart tissue against saidfirst and second contact surfaces for increasing the spacing apart ofthe contact areas of the heart to apply tension to heart tissue in thearea of the beating heart intermediate said first contact area and saidsecond contact area.
 67. The surgical apparatus of claim 64, wherein:said fixing means further comprises a securing device for fixing saidfirst and second suction devices to a stationary object to therebyimmobilize the first and second suction devices and the local area ofthe beating heart between the contact surfaces of the first and secondsuction devices relative to the stationary object.
 68. The surgicalapparatus of claim 64, wherein a plurality of suction ports extend fromsaid suction conduit through said contact surface in said first suctiondevice, and a like plurality of suction ports extend from said suctionconduit through said contact suiface in said second suction device. 69.The surgical apparatus of claim 64, wherein: said contact surface s ofsaid first and second suction devices are planar; and a plurality ofsuction ports extend from said suction conduit through said contactsurface of said first suction device, and a like plurality of suctionports extend from said suction conduit through said contact surface ofsaid second suction device.
 70. The surgical apparatus of claim 64,wherein: said contact surfaces of said first and second suction devicesare curved with a curvature confoiming to the curvature of the heartsurface; and a plurality of suction ports extend from said suctionconduit through said contact surface of said first suction device, and alike plurality of suction ports extend from said suction conduit throughsaid contact suiface of said second suction device.
 71. The surgicalapparatus of claim 64, wherein: said contact surfaces of said flist andsecond suction devices are elongated; and a plurality of suction portsextend from said suction conduit through said elongated contact surfaceof said first suction device, and a like plurality of suction portsextend firom said suction conduit through said contact suiface of saidsecond suction device.
 72. The surgical apparatus of claim 64, wherein:said contact surfaces of said first and second suction devices areelongated; and a plurality of suction ports extend in a line from saidsuction conduit through said elongated contact surface of said flistsuction device, and a like plurality of suction polls extend in a linefirom said suction conduit through said contact suiface of said secondsuction device.
 73. The device of claim 64 wherein the stationary objectis a portion of a patient's skeletal system.
 74. The device of claim 73wherein the means for fixing to a stationary object the first and secondsuction devices includes a retractor coupled to the patient's skeletalsystem.
 75. The device of claim 74 wherein the retractor comprises atleast one mounting rail or beam.
 76. The device of claim 74 wherein theretractor comprises at least one mounting rail or beam, the means forfixing the first and second suction devices to a stationary objectfurther comprising a clamp adapted to clamp onto the mounting rail orbean.
 77. Surgical apparatus adapted to be coupled to a source ofnegative pressure for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue tofacilitate a surgical procedure to be performed on the area of tissuecomprising: a first suction device having a first contact surfaceadapted to be placed against tissue, the first suction device having aninternal suction conduit open to the atmosphere through at least onesuction port extending from said suction conduit through said firstcontact surface, said first suction device further comprising means forconducting suction from said source of negative pressure to said suctionconduit, a second suction device having a second contact surface adaptedto be placed against tissue, the second suction device having aninternal suction conduit open to the atmosphere through at least onesuction port extending from said suction conduit through said secondcontact surface, said second suction device further comprising means forconducting suction from said source of negative pressure to said suctionconduit; immobilizing means for immobilizing said first suction devicewith said first contact surface placed against a first contact area oftissue and said second suction device with said second surface placedagainst a second contact area of tissue spaced apart from said firstcontact area of tissue; whereby suction drawn through said first andsecond suction ports engages tissue against said first and secondcontact surfaces and immobilizes at least an area of tissue intermediatesaid first contact area and said second contact area; and means operablefollowing the application of suction through said suction ports of saidfirst and second suction devices to engage said first and second contactareas against said first and second contact surfaces for adjusting thespacing apart of the contact areas of the tissue to apply tension to orrelease tension from tissue in the area intermediate said first contactarea and said second contact area.
 78. The surgical apparatus of claim77, wherein: said immobilizing means further comprises a secuing devicefor fixing said first and second suction devices to a stationary objectto thereby immobilize the first and second suction devices and the localarea of tissue between the contact surfaces of the first and secondsuction devices relative to the stationary object.
 79. The surgicalapparatus of claim 77, wherein a plurality of suction ports extend firomsaid suction conduit through said contact surface in said first suctiondevice, and a like plurality of suction polls extend from said suctionconduit through said contact surface in said second suction device. 80.The surgical apparatus of claim 77, wherein: said contact surface s ofsaid first and second suction devices are planar; and a plurality ofsuction posts extend from said suction conduit through said contactsurface of said first suction device, and a like plurality of suctionpolls extend from said suction conduit through said contact surface ofsaid second suction device.
 81. The surgical apparatus of claim 77,wherein: said contact surfaces of said first and second suction devicesare curved with a curvature confonming to the curvature of the tissue;and a plurality of suction ports extend firom said suction conduitthrough said contact surface of said first suction device, and a likeplurality of suction ports extend from said suction conduit through saidcontact surface of said second suction device.
 82. The surgicalapparatus of claim 77, wherein: said contact surfaces of said first andsecond suction devices are elongated; and a plurality of suction portsextend from said suction conduit through said elongated contact surfaceof said first suction device, and a like plurality of suction pollsextend from said suction conduit through said contact surface of saidsecond suction device.
 83. The surgical apparatus of claim 77, wherein:said contact surfaces of said first and second suction devices areelongated; and a plurality of suction ports extend in a line fi-om saidsuction conduit through said elongated contact suiface of said firstsuction device, and a like plurality of suction ports extend in a linefrom said suction conduit through said contact surface of said secondsuction device.
 84. Surgical apparatus for temporarily immobilizing alocal area of the beating heart tissue to facilitate a surgicalprocedure to be performed on the heart while the heart is beatingcomprising: means for placing a suction port extending through a firstcontact surface of a first suction device against a first contact areaof the surface of the heart; means for applying suction through saidsuction port of said first contact surface to engage the first contactarea of the heart against said first contact surface; means for placinga suction port extending through a second contact surface of a secondsuction device against a second contact area of the surface of theheart; means for applying suction through said suction port of saidsecond contact surface to engage the second contact area of the heartagainst said second contact surface; and means for fixing said first andsecond suction devices to a stationary object to immobilize the firstand second suction devices while performing the surgical procedure whilethe heart is beating.
 85. Surgical apparatus for temporarilyimmobilizing a local area of the beating heart tissue to facilitate asurgical procedure to be performed on the heart while the heart isbeating comprising: means for placing a suction port extending through acontact surface of a suction device against a contact area of thesurface of the heart; means for applying suction through said suctionport of said contact surface to engage the contact area of the heartagainst said contact surface ; and means for fixing said suction deviceto a stationary object to immobilize the suction device to facilitateperforming the surgical procedure in a local area of the heart adjacentto the suction device while the heart is beating.